Ropp with very wide bore.

[mawnansmiff]

Hello folks, I am currently working on a Ropp estate pipe, a (large) 'Grand Duc' 84 straight billiard. Whilst cleaning the shank of the usual tarry gunk I realized the airway was somewhat larger than what I am accustomed to. I measured it and found it to be a smidgen over 5mm. I am more familiar with a 3mm bore.
Is this unusual for a factory pipe or is it possibly something done by a previous owner? I have not yet smoked the pipe so can't comment on whether it affects the smokability.
I look forward to any input from the experts.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[agnosticpipe]

It could have been that large because it once had a large stinger that all the way to the bowl. I had a Dr. Plumb pipe years ago that had such a stinger. Unlike the smooth Inner Tube type stinger that Dunhill uses, this was a large finned affair that had multiple holes in it but was removable from the stem. I tried it without the stinger once and the hole was just too big, and bits of tobacco would come through at times. Or like you say, the previous owner might have opened it up for whatever reason. Smoke it and see what happens...

 

[mawnansmiff]

Hello again Orley, it never occurred to me that a stinger might once have been part of the pipe and hence the oversize bore.
Once finished I shall indeed load & fire it up though it is not really my sort of pipe inasmuch as I'm not a huge straight billiard fan and that it is a fair bit bigger than I like my pipes to be. It is likely as not to end up in my 'pipes to sell' box which translates as it will likely never get sold and just gather dust
Prior to receiving this pipe (and two sandblasted bents) I always assumed that Ropp only ever made those quirky cherrywood pipes of which I have several. The three briars I do have do look to be very well designed and made and the two blasted pipes are particularly attractive and great smokers!
Thanks for your input, it's much appreciated.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mso489]

I don't know about the history of stingers in Ropps; it would attract my attention that a Ropp has a wider airway. My one Ropp has a slightly restricted airway, a good smoke, but relatively narrow compared to other brands I own.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

My two Ropps are have the smallest drafts of any of my pipes. I wouldn't have thought Ropps to have stingers, as I think of them as being pretty much slung together as primitively as possible. But, who knows, maybe some did.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Cosmic (sigh!) I suppose it was only a matter of time eh :wink:
So tell me if this pipe was "slung together" or is "primitive".

To my eye it looks and feels like any other middle of the road briar pipe. Not fired it up yet but probably will later tonight. Then of course it will fall apart due to it being "slung together" and I will forever hence be walking around hunched over, carrying a wooden club and grunting to all and sundry :crazy:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yep, I'd be afraid to smoke it. The thing would most likely just fall apart after it was lit. ::

 

[mawnansmiff]

Well Cosmic it never fell apart and I have not been transformed into a jibbering idiot so bang goes your theory :laughat:
Regards,
Jay.